Senior Parent Night November 15, 2011 Agenda Senior Year Timeline College Application Process Financial Aid/Scholarships Question & Answer

Senior Year Timeline September October November December January February- March April- June Visit colleges you are interested in and meet with representatives who visit the high school. Narrow down your choice of colleges and begin application process. Be aware of admission deadlines! Stay Focused! Grades earned in your senior year can affect your college admittance. Attend Financial Aid Meeting (date to be announced). Continue checking on local scholarships and complete college application if not already done. Notify colleges you have been accepted to but have decided not to attend. Register to take the ACT or SAT if not already taken or you plan to re-take. Register at www.actstudent.org Request high school to send transcripts to colleges to which you have applied. Arrange to have ACT scores sent. Continue to look for scholarship opportunities. Check list posted in the career center monthly, and be aware of deadlines! Complete FAFSA online or paper copy and submit as soon as possible after January 1st. Notify counseling office where to send your final transcript. Identify adults who you will ask to write letters of recommendation. Search for scholarships and grants. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to obtain a pin number for financial aid. Both parent and student need a pin number. Review scholarship list monthly and apply for any you qualify for. Make an appointment with you counselor to review your transcript and post-secondary plans.

Fee waivers may be available for students who qualify. ACT Test If you have not taken the ACT or would like to retake the test, you can register online at www.actstudent.org, Or pick up a packet in the counseling office. Registration deadline for the February test is Friday, January 13th, 2012. Fee waivers may be available for students who qualify.

College Visits Seniors are allowed two days for college visits. To schedule a college visit, contact the Admissions office of the college you would like to visit and schedule a date to go. It is best to go when classes are in session so you can talk with other students and staff. It is also a good idea to visit the college financial aid office to find out about scholarships, deadlines, etc. Take advantage of college representative visits to our high school. This is a great opportunity to learn about the college before you visit. Dates for visits will be posted on Naviance.

Applying to Colleges Most colleges prefer online applications. You can find the website of most colleges in Naviance, or visit Mrs. Lindberg in the Career Center. Once you have applied to a college, remember to request your transcript to be sent by the counseling office. You can do this through Naviance, or stop in the office and fill out a request form. Transcripts are usually sent within 2 or 3 days of the request. Allow up to four weeks to hear from the college on your acceptance.

Scholarships Scholarship opportunities are listed in Naviance and on a monthly scholarship list, which is emailed to parents and students. Write one “essay” and adjust it as needed – double check spelling and grammar Eligibility and criteria vary

Financial Aid What is the FAFSA? FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. How do I apply? After January 1st, 2012, you will be able to complete the application at www.fafsa.gov. If you have not already done so you can go to this website now and obtain your PIN number. BOTH student and parent must have a PIN number. Financial Aid Night is scheduled for Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in Knowlton Auditorium.

Overview of Naviance * What is Family Connection? Web-based resource that supports course, career, and college planning Specific to our school Linked with Naviance Succeed, a service that we use in the counseling office How do I access it? Go to the Austin High School web page and click on the High School page. From there click on “Family” and then Family Connection AHS. You will need your user ID and registration code, which you can get here tonight. We will also have someone available during parent/teacher conferences to give you that information and show you where to log on.

Main Page

After Sign in

Graduation Requirements Students must have 24 credits to meet Austin High School graduation requirements. They must also have passed the MCA II Reading and Writing tests, and have passed or taken the Math test three times. Students will be notified if they need to re-test. Students who have not met their requirements will not be allowed to walk in the graduation ceremony. Students who are short credits should see Mrs. Riley regarding Night School and summer school options.

Miscellaneous Info Cap and Gown Ordering: Jostens will be here on Nov 16 and 17 during lunch. Student can order their cap, gown and tassel at this time, and also any optional items such as graduation announcements, etc. Packets are available tonight. Cost for a cap, gown and tassel is $22.00. Students will be able to keep these items.

Questions? A copy of this presentation is available on the Austin High School Home page under the counseling link.